LAT 2026 Cohort

Introducing the cohort for SEARAC's 2026 Leadership and Advocacy Training program

Kaitlin Lee
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Kaitlin’s best advice: The more you are exposed, the more you can grow.


Stacey Phengvath
Frankfurt, Germany

Stacey’s memoir title: Their Sacrifice Became My Life’s Purpose


Khai Hoang
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Khai’s best advice: Audacity is our capacity


Cecilia Nguyen
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Cecilia’s memoir title: For Community, With Community, By Community


Lena Redd
Springfield, Massachusetts

Lena’s best advice: One day, one step, one breath


Mackenzie Saephanh
Fresno, California

Mackenzie’s memoir title: Iu-Mien Refugee Daughter, Future Doctor Rising


Sophea Phea
Long Beach, California 

Sophea’s memoir title: Order of Removal: Deported to Cambodia 


Kao Ye Thao
Sacramento, California

Kao Ye’s best advice: What is meant for you will find you. 


Kaovny Jonas
Charlotte, North Carolina

Kaovny’s memoir title: From Survival to Legacy, Building Bridges


Terri Le
Chino, California

Terri’s memoir title: Vietnamese Roots, American Growth, My Terms


Beanca Thai
Washington, DC 

Beanca’s best advice: Fight for what you want, always.


Sky Bloomer
Silver Spring, Maryland

Sky’s memoir title: Learning Vitality Through Patience, Grief, and Joy


Natacha Namphengsone
Boston, Massachusetts

Natacha’s memoir title: Must Be Nice


Sachi Dely
Greensboro, North Carolina

Sachi’s best advice: When life is hard, work harder.


Kitana Ludwig
Seattle, Washington

Kitana’s best advice: Be present, take risks, create memories!


David Bouttavong
Fresno, California

David’s memoir title: David, This is My Little Journey.


Amber  Bounthapanya
Lawrence, Kansas

Amber’s memoir title: Don’t Tell Me What To Do


Ami Truong
New Orleans, Louisiana

Ami’s best advice: Keep showing up for yourself daily.


Chrissy Sa
San Francisco, California

Chrissy’s best advice: Progress, not perfection. Rest is resistance.  


PhiYen Nguyen
Brooklyn, New York

PhiYen’s best advice: Be willing to advocate for yourself.


Alicia Chao
San Diego, California

Alicia’s best advice: You’re allowed to change your mind.


Sophea Chim
Long Beach, California

Sophea’s memoir title: Thoughtful, Organized, Creative, Community-driven, Professional and Warm


Kindy Insouvanh
Wake Forest, North Carolina

Kindy’s memoir title: Justice Leads, Research Lights the Path


Tyler Cheam
Long Beach, California 

Tyler’s best advice: Let love destroy you.